2022 Grenache Noir
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Coming from dry-farmed bush-vine Grenache on decomposed granite soils in the Paardeberg, this is Marelise Niemann’s flagship Grenache. She uses a cold soak and long, gentle maceration to produce an incredibly perfumed, delicate style of Grenache. The nose combines sweet spice with sweet cherry and raspberry fruit, as well as a touch of herbal fynbos. The wine is translucent and lithe, with chalky minerality that underlines the pristine dainty fruit, fine tannins and bright acidity that runs through the whole thing. It’s fine-boned, and yet has beautiful persistence, with a lovely lift to the long finish.
Critic scores
Neal Martin, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2022 Grenache Noir contains 20% stems and undergoes a natural fermentation, three weeks on the skins, and matures 16 months in used 225-liter oak barrels. It has a lovely bouquet with detailed red cherries and crushed strawberry fruit, a little gravelly scent in the background, and later light orange blossom aromas. The palate is well-balanced with finely chiseled tannins, open and transparent with gentle grip and more persistency on the finish, plus a residual pepperiness that is very appealing
About the producer
Marelise Niemann’s Momento project is among South Africa’s most exciting. Named Tim Atkin MW’s Young Winemaker of the Year in 2023, Niemann farms old-vine parcels in Bot River and the Swartland, focusing on Grenache and crafting site-expressive wines that belong on the world stage.